Eircom rule out landline for valley

RESIDENTS of a remote valley are relying on a fragile radio link to speak to the outside world after Eircom refused to install a landline service, claiming the cost was too high.

The decision has made the community in Kerry's famous Black Valley, one of the most isolated in Western Europe, wonder why Ireland's hi-tech revolution has passed them by.

Eircom turned down requests to lay lines for a phone service to the picturesque valley because it said the €650,000 installation cost would be prohibitive given the few customers requiring it.